Core i5-4310U vs Phenom II X4 B97

Core i5-4310U vs Phenom II X4 B97 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4310U

2 / 4

2,525

0.0%

2,540

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-4310U vs Phenom II X4 B97 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-4310U vs Phenom II X4 B97: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-4310U

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,525 vs 2,540).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

Phenom II X4 B97

2010

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while Core i5-4310U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X4 B97 better than Core i5-4310U?

Yes. Phenom II X4 B97 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Phenom II X4 B97 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 B97 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Phenom II X4 B97 is the better buy right now. Phenom II X4 B97 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $100 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-4310U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4310U vs Phenom II X4 B97 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-4310U

The Core i5-4310U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,525 points. Launch price was $281.

Phenom II X4 B97

The Phenom II X4 B97 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,540 points. Launch price was $100.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4310U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 B97 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 B97 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i5-4310U versus 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X4 B97 — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 B97 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-4310U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 B97 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4310U scores 2,525 against the Phenom II X4 B97's 2,540 — a 0.6% lead for the Phenom II X4 B97. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4310U vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 B97.

Feature	Core i5-4310U	Phenom II X4 B97
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.2 GHz+60%
L3 Cache	3 MB	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,525	2,540

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4310U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 B97 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.